NBA, NBPA Join Together to Donate $250,000 to World Vision's Disaster Response in Philippines

SEATTLE, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have joined together to make a $250,000 contribution to World Vision to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

As the death toll climbs and the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan is increasingly evident, World Vision is launching one of its largest relief operations in the country's history, mobilizing staff to respond to nearly 400,000 people affected by the disaster.

The Government of the Philippines estimates that at least four million people have been affected by the typhoon, and there are reports that in one area alone, Tacloban, 10,000 people have died. The number of fatalities is likely to rise as communications channels are restored and access improves to impacted areas.

World Vision's first relief flight loaded with critical emergency supplies arrived in Manila Monday. The Lufthansa flight included 5,000 blankets and 3,000 tarpaulins (plastic sheets) that will be used to help survivors build temporary shelters.

Power outages plus the destruction of major roads, airports, and infrastructure have made it incredibly difficult to reach survivors to provide urgently-needed assistance and get a clearer picture of the total devastation.

World Vision president Richard Stearns appeals for a global response, "We applaud the NBA and NBPA for their generous donation which will help us provide much-needed food and emergency supplies to millions of people in need. Now is the time to come together to help these children and families recover and rebuild their communities."

Right now, the most urgent needs are water and sanitation, food, temporary shelter, child protection and psychosocial support. Staff care is also a priority as many have been personally affected by this disaster and have been managing back-to-back disasters in the midst of one of the country's busiest hurricane seasons.

To help, please text the word HOPE to 777444 to donate $10 to World Vision's relief efforts, or make an donation to the Philippines Disaster Response Fund online or by calling 1-888-562-4453 (1-888-56-CHILD). For more information, visit our website at http://www.worldvision.org/.

The NBA Family has been working with World Vision in this region since 2009 including supporting relief efforts around Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan and the devastating flooding in Manila in August 2012.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/press or on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews.